We decided to go ‘out-out’ in the rather grand neighbourhood of Paris called Opera, so-called because of the magnificent Old Opera House that dominates it. Le Grand Intercontinental hotel sits beside this beauty. We started this rather extravagant evening at Le Bar, followed by a meal at the Drouant, just a stroll away.
Dark, masculine and elegant Le Bar enables the brain to switch from go-go mode into a more relaxed one. One look at its bottled shelves is encouraging. It is a neat clutter of top quality beverages
Very satisfied we’ve made a good choice we settle in. Despite its in-house specialities it’s the kind a bar you can order your go-to cocktail (my favourite being an Amaretto Sour) and the bartender responds with a reassuring smile and a nod. Perfect
There is nibbling, chatting and anticipation as we watch our bartender create, shake and stir
Our cocktails arrive and we call out ‘cheers!’ to each other and ‘we love Paris!’
All our cocktails taste absolutely divine. We were loving life and everyone in it
it takes all my restraint not to drink too quickly. Take your hand off the straw, no-one will pinch it
It’s been such a lovely way to start off our evening
Rather merrily we enter the Drouant restaurant. The efficient staff welcome us into its calm and classy world
We are seated, watered, fed bread and handed a rather serious wine list (book). The sommelier advises us and the result was perfect
Being English we love bread and butter. This bread and butter was exceptional. Good start
The joy of Antoine Westermann’s menu is his 4 treatments of fish, meat or vegetable etc. For starters we shared the fish and meat plates
There was clashing of forks as we hungrily wanted a taste of each
This was fun and the conversation centred entirely on these delicious morsels
The service continued to be flawless. Our mains arrived. Mine was a lamb shoulder confit. YUM
My daughter enjoyed this roasted cod.
These chips were crrrispy, very moreish and shared all around the table
Dessert caused a lot of excitement. That apple, wow, that chocolate macaroon, perfect and that chocolate what-ever-it-was-just-give-me-more in the glass was heavenly
Just room for coffee and these amazing treats: super smooth truffles and orange zest (slow roasted, maybe?) like I’ve never had before
Our evening drawing to a close we leave the restaurant to lots of smiles and thank you’s. We hopped (fell/collapsed) into our uber taxi with a ‘Phwoar! that was good!’
passion fruit, paws and peonies 